Part of our guide: Long-Term Care Insurance: Costs, Options and Planning →
Long-term care applications ask personal questions: every medication, every diagnosis, and exactly how much the client weighs. Asking them well is part of getting the best possible offer.
Key takeaways
- Explain up front why you’re asking, so clients understand the questions protect their offer.
- Complete, honest answers lead to better recommendations and fewer surprises.
- Know which common medications signal conditions that are usually uninsurable for LTC.
“You don’t have to be in perfect health for long-term care insurance, but you do need to be in relatively good health. It’s my job to get that picture right.”
Set the stage
Tell clients why you’re asking before you start. For example: “You don’t have to be in perfect health to get long-term care insurance, but you do need to be in relatively good health. It’s my job to gather that information, so I need to ask about your health and any medications.”
Get an accurate health picture
Just as a doctor needs complete information to diagnose, you need it to recommend the right carrier and product. Encourage clients to be thorough. Missing details surface in medical records anyway and can derail the case.
Learn the story behind the medication
Medications often tell the story. Become familiar with drugs associated with conditions that are typically uninsurable for LTC. Examples include:
- Prednisone: often prescribed for COPD or rheumatoid arthritis
- Requip (ropinirole): used for Parkinson’s disease (and restless legs syndrome)
- Aricept (donepezil): used for dementia
- Avonex: used for multiple sclerosis
More medication clues in six things to uncover before you submit.
Don’t guess the weight
Ask for current height and weight and check the carrier’s build chart. Estimates cause surprises.
Add a cover letter
Share context the application doesn’t ask for, such as healthy habits, lifestyle, and how conditions are being managed. The more the underwriter knows, the better the chance of a good outcome. See what to include in an underwriting cover letter.
Frequently asked questions
What health questions are on a long-term care application?
Medications, diagnoses, treatments, doctor visits, height and weight, and questions about daily functioning and cognition.
Which medications can lead to an LTC decline?
Drugs associated with conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis often signal an uninsurable condition. Ask about the diagnosis behind every medication.
Should I include a cover letter with an LTC application?
Yes, when there’s helpful context about lifestyle or how conditions are managed that the application doesn’t capture.
Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25
Tim Fuller
President, SRS Inc.
Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.
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